Marion County Sheriff Ron Goemaat tells KNIA/KRLS news the charges against Terry Tobias Cobbins Jr. have been upgraded from material witness to murder in the first degree. The charges stem from the shooting death of Teresa Louise Miller of Knoxville who died in her home at 1722 Highway 14 south of Knoxville last Friday. Cobbins is still being held in the Milwaukee County jail awaiting extradition to Marion County. As previously reported on KNIA/KRLS news also being charged with first degree murder in the case is Teresa’s husband Michael Jamey Miller of Knoxville. He is currently being held in the Marion County jail on a $1 million bond.

The following information was originally posted on kniakrls.com on January 11, 2010 at 12:45pm.
According to Marion County Court documents, through the course of the investigation information was received that Michael Miller was having an affair with another woman for approximately six months. Teresa Miller had suspicions about the affair and the other woman told Michael that she wanted to be the only woman in his life and would not continue with their relationship.

Both Michael and Terry Cobbins are employed by Marzetti’s Frozen Pasta in Altoona. One of Cobbins neighbors told law enforcement that Michael previously approached Cobbins and told him he was worried if he got a divorce that Teresa would take all of his money. This neighbor stated that Michael told him he wanted to have his wife killed and stated that he would be willing to pay money for her death. Cobbins asked this neighbor if he would be willing to assist him in the crime and he declined.

On the day of Teresa’s death Michael made his vehicle available to Cobbins and another individual who then picked him up from work and the three of them went to a Des Moines rental car agency at approximately noon. Michel then rented a vehicle for Cobbins to use in order to flee the state. The neighbor says he saw Cobbins and his family packing this vehicle between noon at 2pm that same day. Cobbins told the neighbor that he would be traveling out of state. Cell phone records show Michael was in contact with Cobbins before, the day of, and after Teresa was found dead.

The woman who was having an affair with Michael Miller stated that the morning after the murder Michael was at her residence professing his love for her and stating he was now single but needed a month before they could be together.

Micheal was interviewed by law enforcement Friday, at which time he stated he was in contact with Cobbins, admitted to traveling with him to Des Moines to rent a vehicle, paid for the rental car and placed it in his name. Michael denied the affair.

During a second interview Monday, Michael admitted to a one time sexual encounter with the female approximately one year ago. He admitted to being in contact with Cobbins multiple times between Friday and Monday. He stated that Cobbins asked for money but he did not give him any. Michael stated that he realized Cobbins and the second individual were responsible for the death of Teresa but denied having entered an agreement to have him kill his wife. He had no explanation any reasons he could think of as to why Cobbins or the other individual would want his wife dead or benefit from her death. Michael indicated that he thought perhaps the woman he was having an affair with got Cobbins and the second individual to kill Teresa so that she could be with him.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has been assisted in the investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa State Patrol, Windsor Heights Police Department, Clive Police Department, Des Moines Police Department, Milwaukee Police Department, Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation and the US Marshal Service.

KNIA/KRLS news continues to follow this case closely and will bring you further information as soon as it becomes official.